GED-SCIENCE Sample Questions & Answers
Cell structures, human body systems and heredity make up as much weight as atoms, states of matter and chemical reactions, with the smaller remainder devoted to earth's structure, geological cycles and natural resources.
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- Question 1Advanced
Life Science · Organization of Ecosystems
Case Study: The Algae Bloom
A small farming community surrounds a freshwater lake that is popular for fishing and recreation. Over the past several years, residents have noticed a significant increase in the frequency and severity of algae blooms during the summer. These blooms create a thick, green scum on the water's surface, produce a foul odor, and have been linked to several fish kills. The community hires an environmental scientist to investigate the cause.
The scientist collects water samples from the lake and from the streams that feed into it. Lab analysis reveals exceptionally high levels of nitrates and phosphates in the lake, particularly after heavy rainfall. The scientist also notes that the largest stream feeding the lake runs directly through several large agricultural fields that are regularly treated with fertilizers.
Based on the evidence presented in the case study, what is the most likely cause of the increased algae blooms in the lake?
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Correct answer: C
The case study provides strong evidence for this conclusion. The high levels of nitrates and phosphates (key components of fertilizer) in the lake, the timing after rainfall (which causes runoff), and the location of the stream running through fertilized fields all point to agricultural runoff as the cause. This process is called eutrophication.
- Question 2Advanced
Physical Science · Atoms and Molecules
The half-life of Carbon-14 is approximately 5,730 years. If a fossilized bone is found to contain 25% of its original Carbon-14, what is the approximate age of the fossil?
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Correct answer: C
After one half-life (5,730 years), 50% of the Carbon-14 would remain. After a second half-life, half of the remaining 50% would decay, leaving 25%. Therefore, the fossil has undergone two half-lives. The age is 2 * 5,730 years = 11,460 years.
- Question 3Intermediate
Earth and Space Science · Plate Tectonics
Which of the following geological features is most commonly formed at a divergent plate boundary?
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Correct answer: B
Divergent boundaries are where tectonic plates pull apart from each other. This process allows magma from the mantle to rise to the surface, cool, and form new oceanic crust, creating features like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Folded mountains form at convergent boundaries, and subduction zones also occur at convergent boundaries.
- Question 4Advanced
Life Science · Cell Structures and Processes
A nurse administers a saline IV drip to a dehydrated patient. The saline solution is isotonic to the patient's red blood cells. What would happen to the patient's red blood cells if pure, distilled water were used for the IV drip instead of saline?
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Correct answer: B
Pure water is a hypotonic solution compared to the cytoplasm inside red blood cells. Due to osmosis, water moves from an area of higher water concentration (the pure water) to an area of lower water concentration (inside the cell) across the semi-permeable cell membrane. This influx of water would cause the cells to swell and likely burst (a process called hemolysis).
- Question 5Beginner
Physical Science · Motion and Forces
The command to calculate the net force on an object is: Net Force = Mass × ______. Which term correctly fills in the blank according to Newton's Second Law of Motion?
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Correct answer: C
Newton's Second Law of Motion is mathematically stated as F = ma, where F is the net force, m is the mass of the object, and a is its acceleration. Therefore, acceleration is the correct term to complete the formula.
- Question 6Advanced
Earth and Space Science · Solar System and Universe
An astronomer observes two stars, Star A and Star B, from Earth. Star A exhibits a greater parallax shift than Star B over a six-month period. What can the astronomer conclude from this observation?
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Correct answer: B
Stellar parallax is the apparent shift in a star's position against the background of more distant stars as the Earth orbits the Sun. This effect is more pronounced for closer objects. A greater parallax angle indicates a smaller distance. Therefore, Star A, with its greater parallax shift, must be closer to Earth than Star B.
- Question 7IntermediateSelect 2
Life Science · Cell Structures and Processes
The process of photosynthesis is essential for most life on Earth. Which of the following statements accurately describe this process? (Select TWO)
flowchart LR subgraph Chloroplast A[Carbon Dioxide] & B[Water] --Sunlight--> C(Glucose) & D[Oxygen] end Sun((Sun)) --> Sunlight Atmosphere --> A Roots --> B C --> Plant_Growth D --> AtmosphereShow answer & explanation
Correct answers: C, D
The reactants for photosynthesis are carbon dioxide (from the air), water (from the soil), and light energy (from the sun).
The products of photosynthesis are glucose, which the plant uses for energy and growth, and oxygen, which is released into the atmosphere.
- Question 8Intermediate
Life Science · Human Body Systems
A person touches a hot stove handle and immediately pulls their hand away. This rapid, involuntary action is a reflex. Which two body systems are primarily responsible for this reflex arc?
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Correct answer: B
The nervous system (sensory nerves, spinal cord, motor nerves) detects the stimulus and transmits the signal for a response. The muscular system (muscles in the arm) carries out the physical action of pulling the hand away. This coordinated effort constitutes the reflex arc.
- Question 9Intermediate
Physical Science · Chemical Reactions
The pH of a solution is a measure of its acidity or alkalinity. A solution with a pH of 3 is how many times more acidic than a solution with a pH of 5?
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Correct answer: C
The pH scale is logarithmic. This means that each whole number change on the scale represents a tenfold change in acidity. A change of two pH units (from 5 to 3) represents a 10 x 10 = 100-fold increase in acidity.
- Question 10Intermediate
Physical Science · Motion and Forces
True or False: Because the Moon has no atmosphere, a feather and a hammer dropped from the same height at the same time will hit the lunar surface simultaneously.
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Correct answer: A
This statement is true. On Earth, air resistance causes the feather to fall slower than the hammer. However, in the vacuum of space on the Moon, there is no air resistance. Therefore, all objects, regardless of their mass or shape, accelerate towards the ground at the same rate due to gravity and will land at the same time. This was famously demonstrated by Apollo 15 astronauts.
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